Catholic Nutshell News: Tuesday 3/17/26
Topics include: Catholics working on Capitol Hill; Germany’s Mass attendance grows; EU court pushes ‘Gender Reassignment’; & Childlessness increases loneliness for the aging
“I’ll pray for thee from my pistachio tree”
Today's sources are OSV News, EWTN, First Things, CRUX, The Pillar, Big Pulpit, and CatholicVote. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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EWTN News
‘Catholic Connections’ unites Catholics working on Capitol Hill
By Madalaine Elhabbal, March 17, 2026
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, wants Catholics on the Hill to be able to recognize one another by more than just the cross they may wear or the ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Emmer’s office has spearheaded a new group called “Catholic Connections,” dedicated to fostering a faith-based community among Catholics working on Capitol Hill. “This is a huge Catholic community around here,” Emmer told EWTN News in an interview at the group’s latest event on March 6, which centered on a Lenten reflection delivered by the pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish on Capitol Hill. “They don’t have anything like this,” he said. David Planning, a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, expressed gratitude to the whip’s office for giving Catholic lobbyists and staffers on the Hill the opportunity to “settle down, reflect on our shared faith, and build community outside of work.”
ACI Africa
Bishops in Rwanda and Burundi call for reopening the Churches
By Jude Atemanke, March 16, 2026
Members of the Association of Ordinary Conference of Rwanda and Burundi (ACOREB) have called for the reopening of closed churches in Rwanda and renewed dialogue between the two neighboring countries amid the continued closure of their land borders. The Catholic Bishops lament that in Rwanda, about “twenty parish churches and several churches in central and subsidiary stations remain closed.” They reiterate their request for the churches to be reopened “so that the faithful may gather again to celebrate the Holy Eucharist together.” Reflecting on relations between Burundi and Rwanda, they note that the land border between the two countries remains closed. They deplore the fact that the eastern part of the DRC “remains affected by war and deadly violence which, in addition to causing human and material losses, has forced thousands of Congolese to flee to Burundi and Rwanda.”
The Pillar
Germany’s Mass attendance grows, but ‘exits’ still high
By Edgar Beltrán, March 9, 2026
New German bishops’ conference chairman Bishop Heiner Wilmer welcomed preliminary figures released on March 16 showing growth in the rate of Mass attendance, but he lamented that formal Church “exits” remained at more than 300,000 per year. He said, “It is a welcome sign that church attendance is once again showing a slight increase. And I see it as a positive sign that the numbers for First Communion and confirmation have remained stable. At the same time, I regret the continuing high number of people leaving the Church.” According to the new statistics, the number of people leaving the Catholic Church in Germany fell to 307,117 in 2025, down from 321,659 in 2024, 402,694 in 2023, and 522,821 in 2022. To formally leave the Church, a baptized Catholic must unregister with a local registry office or court, provide official documents, and pay a fee of $33-$66. They are given a certificate confirming they are no longer registered and therefore not liable for the country’s church tax.
Related: ‘Leaving the Church to Stay Catholic’? German Faithful Face Church Tax Dilemma, Jonathan Liedl, Senior Editor for the National Catholic Register, March 16, 2026
Zenit
EU court requires states to recognize ‘Gender Reassignment’
By ZENIT Staff, March 14, 2026
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a ruling that compels all member states to recognize legal sex changes in certain cases, even when national laws prohibit it. The decision, released on March 12, 2026, declares it contrary to EU law for a country to refuse to modify a citizen’s registered sex if they have exercised “freedom of movement”. Stemming from a Bulgarian case where “sex” is defined biologically and civil registry alterations are forbidden, the CJEU argues such denials violate EU rights if they hinder everyday life, like identity checks, travel, or work in other states. This clashes with conservative laws in countries like Bulgaria, where the Supreme Court rejected a registry change to uphold public interest and social values. Critically, the CJEU asserts EU law’s supremacy over national constitutional interpretations, even in core areas like civil law and personal identity. This overreach exemplifies Brussels’ agenda to centralize power, overriding elected parliaments and traditional cultural norms.
CatholicVote
Childlessness exacerbates loneliness among aging communities
By Hannah Hiester, March 16, 2026
Studies show that older adults’ loneliness rates have increased in recent years, and a trend of childlessness is only exacerbating the problem, according to a recent report from the Institute of Family Studies. Sociology professor emerita and author Rosemary Hopcroft wrote that loneliness among adults aged 45 or older reached 40% in 2025 — five percentage points higher than levels recorded in 2010 and 2018 — according to an AARP poll. She noted that “loneliness has always been a risk of growing older” in developed countries like the U.S. but said that the chances of being alone are becoming heightened in modern society. “The problem is that rates of loneliness are increasing among the old and are exacerbated by rising levels of childlessness, since the childless are more likely to be lonely in old age,” Hopcroft wrote. “As fertility declines and life expectancy rises, more older adults will enter late life without children and with fewer built-in sources of intergenerational connection.”
Aleteia
Church of Holy Sepulchre closed amid war
By Daniel Esparza, March 16, 2026
For Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the center of the faith’s defining story. Tradition holds that within its walls stand both Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb from which Christians believe he rose. That is why its prolonged closure during the current Middle East conflict is reverberating across the Christian world. Authorities shut the church’s doors on February 28 because of escalating security concerns as the regional war intensified. Since then, access to the Old City’s major holy sites has been heavily restricted. For the first time in living memory, liturgies have stopped inside the basilica for weeks. The sanctuary normally hosts a near-continuous rhythm of prayer led by the three communities that share custody of the church — the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic Churches.
First Things
Is ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ suitable for kids?
By Gigi Duncan, March 16, 2026
In the runaway hit film KPop Demon Hunters, a battle rages between good and evil. By day, members of the K-pop girl group HUNTR/X are global pop sensations; by night, they fight demons, using their music to maintain a mystical barrier that protects humanity from supernatural forces intent on consuming souls. But beyond the animated film’s supernatural storyline, another battle has been unfolding off-screen. Since its release in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has become a cultural phenomenon, blending Korean pop-idol culture with fantasy adventure and attracting a devoted young fan base — it is the most-watched Netflix film of all time. A debate among Christian families over the inclusion of demons and supernatural power raises questions about its appropriateness for children. For Catholic parents, the question echoes earlier debates about fantasy entertainment — most notably surrounding the Harry Potter series and Wicked. Supporters say the film’s themes of identity, sacrifice, and redemption spark meaningful conversations about the faith.
Related: Can Catholics Watch ‘KPop Demon Hunters’? Priest Explains How It Could Lead Kids to Christ - Caroline Perkins, December 3, 2025 — ChurchPOP
OSV News
Two Irishmen on the road to sainthood
By Effie Caldarola, March 17, 2026
During St. Patrick’s season, two other Irishmen are on the road to sainthood. Blessed John Sullivan, born in 1861, a handsome man, the scion of a prominent family, was once called “the best-dressed man in Dublin.” Venerable Matt Talbot, born in 1856, the child of an impoverished alcoholic, went from chronic alcoholism, which brought him to his knees, to the portal of sainthood. These two Irishmen, contemporaries, may have passed each other unaware on the mean streets of Dublin sometime in the early 20th century. They remind me of that old adage, “Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past.” Until his dying day, John Sullivan carried his mother’s crucifix with him, and it is with him at Gardiner Street Parish in Dublin, where he now lies in repose. Talbot would have died in obscurity, but when he was found dead of a heart attack on his way to Mass in 1925, chains encircled his body under his clothing, at that time the mark of an ascetic and deeply penitent man.
Pulpit, EWTN, & Fides News for 3/17/26
BIG PULPIT
Tito Edwards Catholic blogger site: March 17, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is an intelligent news aggregator offering insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide. Here are Chief Editor Tito Edward’s top recommendations for today.
Huge Eucharistic Pilgrimage to Mark America’s 250th Birthday – Catholic Arena
Iranian Missile Fragments Fall Near Church of the Holy Sepulchre – D.L. Marina at EWTN NewsPope Leo XIV To Accept U.S. Liberty Medal On Eve Of July 4 – Daniel Esparza at Aleteia
How Self-Reflection Aids Discernment – Kerri Christopher at The Catholic Herald
The Seder & the Sacrament: Why “Christian Seders” Misunderstand Holy Week – Nuntiatoria
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — March 17, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.
St. Patrick’s Day during Lent ‘should inspire us to be joyful, not dire’ - By Tessa Gervasini - While the St. Patrick’s Day special Masses, parades, and festive gatherings may seem contradictory to the penitential season of Lent, they provide an opportunity for the faithful to honor and celebrate the life of one of the Church’s most beloved saints.
German bishop recalls Habermas-Ratzinger dialogue after philosopher’s death - By CNA Deutsch - Jürgen Habermas, the philosopher whose debate with the future Pope Benedict XVI on the foundations of democracy became a touchstone for the relationship between faith and reason, has died at 96.
Barron, Cordileone warn pro-life Catholics face pressure in health care - By Madalaine Elhabbal - Bishop Robert Barron and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone spoke out against the U.S. government’s past targeting of pro-life Catholics in health care at the U.S. Religious Liberty Commission’s fifth hearing.
Agenzia Fides
Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies - 3/17/26
Fides News Agency (Fides) was established in 1927, at the direction of the Council Superior General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, as the first Missionary Agency of the Church and among the first agencies in the world.
AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - ResPEct: Women with disabilities face 'invisible wounds' of violence and trauma - Juba (Agenzia Fides) – “Mental Health – Invisible Wounds: Mental Health, GBV, and the Lived Realities of Women with Disabilities in South Sudan – Let us take action!” is the title of the roundtable for the ResPEct project.
ASIA/CHINA - The Lenten journey of Chinese Catholic communities: visits to the sick, spiritual retreats, formation courses - Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Spiritual retreats, visits to the sick, formation courses, and participation in the Stations of the Cross during Lent are shaping the daily life of Chinese Catholic parishes during this season.
SIPRI Report 2026: The global arms market is growing, while in Africa it remains a mystery - by Cosimo Graziani Stockholm (Agenzia Fides) – On March 9, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published its report on the development of the arms market for the five-year period 2021–2025.
Nutshell reflections for 3/17/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - March 17, 2026
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
George Weigel
Some saw John Allen & Weigel as rivals, but it was not so
By George Weigel, March 11, 2026
For many years, John Allen was the best Anglophone Vaticanista ever, a man of great kindness who graciously helped everyone on that beat who had the sense to counsel with him. I am grateful to divine providence for the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) being the midwife, so to speak, of my relationship with a man whose friendship I enjoyed until his death this past January 22, which followed a heroic battle against cancer. Our friendship began with John’s NCR review of the first volume of my John Paul II biography, Witness to Hope. Given the venue, I was expecting trouble, but the review was thoughtful and rather positive — a friendship lasting over a quarter-century was sealed. We respected each other’s competence, didn’t regard our differences of perception or opinion as existential threats, and were glad of each other’s successes. All of that, I think, was because we recognized in each other Catholics who were committed to a Church that was ever more effective in its evangelization and witness, which required transparency from the Church and candor from those writing about it.
Catholic World Report
Morals cannot evolve, as in a ‘paradigm shift’
By Richard M. Doerflinger, March 16, 2026
We need clarity on whether the Church’s future teaching and practice will be guided by Pope Francis’s “paradigm shift,” or by the harmonious union of objective truth and Christian charity proposed by Pope Leo. For his part, Pope Leo has already spoken more critically of using one’s own subjective experience as a determining factor in moral decisions. Citing St. Augustine, he has said in an interview that human experience should be a door leading us to God and, hence, to greater solidarity with other people. But he warned: “So often today, in the highly individualistic society that people are growing up in, people think that my experience is the criteria. ‘Am I happy or not happy?’ What that might really be is, ‘Do I feel pleasure or don’t I feel pleasure?’ Or, ‘Do I feel selfish?’ And if I feel okay, then that’s all that matters.” On January 26th of this year, Leo delivered an important speech to the bishops of the Roman Rota on the theme of “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15), emphasizing that these are not in opposition but must be advanced together.
CRUX
Pope’s April Africa odyssey takes him to a mosque & a prison
By Nicole Winfield, March 17, 2026
The Vatican released on Monday details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming four-nation Africa tour, suggesting Christian-Muslim relations, comforting victims of violence, and encouraging the Catholic community in former European colonies will be key themes. The April 13-23 trip begins in Algeria, which has never before welcomed a pope. It includes a visit to the Great Mosque in Algiers as well as a meeting with Leo’s fellow Augustinians in the place most associated with St. Augustine of Hippo, the 5th-century inspiration for their religious order. Leo will preside over a peace meeting in northwest Cameroon, visit an important Marian shrine in Angola, and pray at a memorial to victims of a 2021 blast in Equatorial Guinea that killed more than 100 people and was blamed on negligence. All the while, he’ll meet with local bishops, celebrate Masses for the faithful, and have private talks with the four nations’ leaders, two of whom have been in power for decades.
First Things
Goodbye to postwar consensus: Is Trump the new Coolidge?
By Sean McMeekin, March 17, 2026
The American nation is still a going concern, and it is time we forego mythologies and give it our proper attention. Of course, times have changed. The U.S.’s role in the world is more extensive today than in Coolidge’s era, and certainly far more extensive than in the Founders’ time. Our political order has evolved, not least through the abolition of slavery and the expansion of the franchise to women and non-white citizens. For all our problems, our national wealth has increased geometrically, our prosperity is more broadly shared across the social spectrum, and our military power is almost infinitely greater. These factors may complicate the task of governance, which of necessity draws on the strengths of the moment to address its problems and challenges. But the reality of change does not make enduring principles obsolete, such as the idea, expressed by Washington, codified by Monroe, and now updated by Trump, that the U.S. should prioritize its own hemisphere over Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
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